Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [173]
At peace, I slept.
* * *
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Some days later, we reached Marsilikos. It was a large, sprawling harbor city dominated by a palace with a golden dome, so big it loomed almost like a second sun. I have to own, I gaped at it. None of the Ch'in folk seemed overly impressed. When we drew in sight of the harbor, I saw why.
The Ch'in ship was enormous. It dwarfed all the other ships in the harbor, at least three times larger than the second largest. It had five masts adorned with vivid red sails shaped unlike any other ship's sails, and towered several stories high, the sides of its upper deck adorned with ornate scrollwork. My mouth fell open at the sight of it.
"Careful," Bao said. "You catch flies."
I closed my mouth. "Master Lo… I mean no disrespect. But all this just to fetch you home?"
"Emperor Zhu loves his daughter very much." He looked troubled. "Too much, perhaps. He would spare no effort to save her life."
I'd been too caught up in my own concerns to give much thought to the Emperor's daughter. "But you said it wasn't a mortal illness."
"No." He hesitated. "The matter is complicated. I would speak of it later unless it may change your thoughts on accompanying us. I wish to be fair."
I shook my head. "No."
"Later, then."
We proceeded to the quay. At least I wasn't alone; there were D'Angelines and trader-folk of other nations gathered to stare at the greatship, still a novelty after many days. They stared at us, too, and I heard murmurs among the D'Angelines. A few covert fingers pointed and I heard my name whispered. We'd made good time, but we hadn't outpaced gossip.
If there were any question about it, it was confirmed by the arrival of the harbor-master, striding down the dock with a handful of armed guards. His gaze went straight to me. "Moirin mac Fainche?"
"Aye." I wondered what in the world he wanted.
There was nothing friendly in his expression. "Her grace the Duchese de Mereliot wishes an audience with you. Yon floating castle's going nowhere until she gets it."
The Lady of Marsilikos.
Raphael's sister.
I'd managed to avoid thinking about that fact, having avoided thinking about Raphael altogether.
"This lady look for a concubine, too?" Bao asked insolently.
"No," I murmured. "She's Raphael de Mereliot's sister. I think I'd best see what she wants. I don't want to cause any trouble here."
Bao conferred with Master Lo Feng. "I go with you."
I eyed the guards. "All right."
It felt reassuring to have Bao at my side as we accompanied the harbor-master to the palace. The guards regarded him with disdain, but I'd seen him whip his staff around with lightning speed, driving back Focalor without a trace of fear. If there was trouble, I had a feeling Master Lo's magpie was a handy person to have around.
The palace steward escorted us into a beautifully appointed salon. A young woman awaited us in a high-backed chair, surrounded by peers and attendants, none of whom looked friendly. She sat very upright, arms stiff along the chair-arms. I would have known her anywhere as Raphael's sister. Her hair was darker than his, but she had the same storm-grey eyes, the same lips, the same jawline sculpted by a more delicate hand.
Right now, those eyes were staring at me and filled with contempt.
"So you're Moirin," she said in a venomous tone. "I wanted to see the bitch that ruined my brother."
"Your stupid brother ruin his own damn self, lady," Bao retorted.
Her gaze shifted to him. "What is this and why is it speaking?"
I sighed. "Bao, will you keep a civil tongue for once? My lady…" I dredged her name out of memory. "My lady Eleanore, I'm sorry about what passed between your brother and I, but I'll not accept sole blame for it."
Eleanore de Mereliot's voice rose. "You made him a laughingstock! And now nigh onto a traitor!"
I stood my ground. "How